Shangri-La Private Scenic Drive Tour from Lijiang

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Drive
5 stops
1
Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia)
As we slowly drive into Huxiang Road, the first station along the highway, you will reach the upper section of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Enjoy a drive along the entire stretch of Tiger Leaping Gorge where there are many observation decks to stop for pictures. Here, the Jinsha River, like a surging dragon, roars through the canyon. Standing on the observation deck, you can see the towering peaks on both sides of the canyon reaching high into the clouds, steep and precipitous. The river surges in the narrow canyon, stirring up huge waves. White spray splashes up, glinting dazzlingly in the sunlight. The majestic momentum cannot help but evoke awe for nature's marvelous craftsmanship and boundless power.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
2
Continuing deeper into the Huxiang Road, we arrive into Haba Village, is home to ethnic minorities, mainly the Naxi people. Their unique culture is deeply ingrained in every aspect of village life. Traditional Naxi architecture can be seen in the houses, which are characterized by wooden structures, sloping roofs, and intricate carvings. These buildings not only provide shelter but also serve as a showcase of the Naxi's exquisite craftsmanship. The villagers preserve their ancient customs and traditions. For example, during the traditional festivals, people dress up in their finest ethnic costumes, performing lively dances and singing folk songs that have been passed down through generations. The music and dance movements tell stories of their ancestors, beliefs, and daily lives, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Naxi people.
Admission ticket free
3
With Haba Snow Mountain on one side and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the other, driving through the Tiger Leaping Gorge with the rush Jinsha River below is truly one of the most speculator drive routes in the world. You will also go through the Haba Snow Mountain Pass. As the altitude increases, Haba Snow Mountain appears. The main peak of Haba Snow Mountain is 5,396 meters above sea level, with a relative height difference of 3,846 meters. It is one of the extremely high mountains with typical modern marine mountain glaciers in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River in northwest Yunnan. It is the fourth highest peak in Yunnan Province. The top of the mountain is covered with snow all year round.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Next we passed Baishui Terrace, Dubbed "China’s Cotton Castle," this natural limestone terrace resembles a frozen waterfall. The turquoise pools, formed by calcium-rich springs, glow under sunlight—perfect for photography.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
5
Then we entered the Shangri-La, the first thing it saw was the vast and boundless grassland. Finally, we can reach the Dukezong Ancient Town in Shangri-La is a place of captivating beauty and we could take a good rest after a long road trip. Nestled amidst majestic mountains, the town features traditional Tibetan architecture with stone houses and sloping roofs. As you wander through its cobblestone streets, you'll be greeted by prayer flags fluttering gently in the breeze, filling the air with a sense of spirituality. The warm glow of butter lamps inside the ancient temples adds a touch of mystery. At night, the town takes on a magical charm, with soft lights twinkling.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Songzanlin Monastery, Napahai and Pudacuo National Park
3 stops
6
Being the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, Songzanlin Monastery, also known as Guihua Monastery, is one of the famous monasteries in the Kang region. It is located near Shangri -La County, at the foot of Foping Mountain. Construction of the monastery began in 1679 and was completed two years later. The monastery seems like a group of ancient castles and is composed of two lamaseries, Zhacang and Jikang. The monastery is full of treasures. There are a lot of golden figures of Buddha josses, golden lamps, Tibetan lections, silver censers and so on. All of these are wonderful collections accumulated from each dynasty. They are precious productions made by people of both Tibet nationality and Han nationality.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
7
Napahai is a nature reserve and a seasonal wetland in Shangri-La. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with villages scattered around it, this attraction mainly features a highland lake landscape and rich ecological resources. Napahai also serves as a winter habitat for migratory birds like the black-necked crane. Napahai and Yila Grassland, the largest and most beautiful grassland in Diqing Shangri-La, are coupled with each other. When the rainy season comes, the grassland is covered with water due to abundant rainfall, forming the lake. During the dry season, there is less water and more grass, hence the lake recedes, turning into a vast grassland, that is Yila Grassland.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
8
Pudacuo National Park is famous for its primitive landscape and features scenic hills, meadows, and lakes. It is also home to more than 100 endangered species, including leopards, cranes, macaques, lynxes, and more. Potatso National Park has three main scenic areas, Shudu Lake, Militang Alpine Pasture and Bitahai Lake Shudu Lake is the park’s crown jewel, known for its crystal-clear waters that reflect the surrounding mountains like a mirror. The lake is surrounded by dense forests and alpine meadows, creating a serene and picturesque setting Bitahai is another stunning alpine lake. It’s surrounded by ancient oak forests and is a vital habitat for migratory birds. The lake’s unique ecosystem includes submerged aquatic plants that create a vibrant underwater landscape. Militang Grassland is a vast expanse of rolling meadows dotted with yaks, Tibetan villages, and traditional grazing lands. This area offers a glimpse into the nomadic lifestyle of the local Tibetan people.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Balagegong Scenic Area
3 stops
9
Balagezong Scenic area is located in the northwest of Shangri-la county, it is one of the core scenic area of "three parallel rivers" with various geological landscape, sacred mountain culture, Shambhala Stupa, Holy Banyan Tree of Thousands of Years, Kangba tribe legend, the ancient village of Bala village, the Plateau Lake, Palm Gorge, rare animals and plants, and the original ecological environment is in well preserved.
4 hours • Admission ticket not included
10
Perched on the banks of the Yangtze river, the small village of Benzilan was an important stop on the ancient tea horse road. The village of Benzilan enjoys a pleasant climate and cultivates many vegetables and cereals. You can visit a small local nunnery whose donations from visitors are highly useful and appreciated. The view of the Yangtze River from the village is superb, you can see the silhouette of the Balgezong gorges, as well as the massif of the white horse mountain, Baima.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
11
Dongzhulin monastery built in 1667 is very popular with pilgrims and local inhabitants, which offers incredible artefacts. The assembly hall is made of 82 columns of carved wood and 4 floors. There are statues of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the school of yellow caps of Tibetan Buddhism, surrounded by two of his disciples, then those Sakyaluni, Avalokiteshvara, Manjusri, among others.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Golden Sunrise at Meili Snow Mountain
2 stops
12
The "Golden Sunrise" at Meili Snow Mountain refers to the breathtaking phenomenon where the morning sunlight illuminates the snow-capped peaks with a golden glow, a spectacular sight best witnessed from the Feilai Temple Viewing Platform. This natural phenomenon, known as Rizhao Jinshan (Golden Light on the Mountain), is most stunning in clear weather and requires an early start, typically around sunrise time between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM. The best time to visit for clear views is from October to May, with the period after late October offering the most stable weather.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
13
Directly facing the Kawakarpo Peak, Feilai Temple is famous for its viewing deck for amazing scenes of the magnificent Meili Snow Mountain. Feilai Temple was originally built in 1614 during Ming Dynasty with a history of 385 years. Covering 1500 square meters, it was built according to the mountain terrain with architecture at random discretion. The temple is a combination of three religions- Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Visitors are free to tour the scenic area of Feilai Temple, visit the temple architecture and learn about its history and religious culture. The murals and Buddha statues in the temple have high artistic value allowing visitors to have an in-depth understanding of Tibetan Buddhist culture. Take a stroll on some of the observation trails in the scenic area to enjoy the beauty of Meili Snow Mountain from different angles.
3 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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